NCB urges the UK and international governments to involve children to tackle climate change

Friday 11 December 2009

With the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen (COP15) underway, NCB calls on the UK and international governments to involve children and young people to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

Recent floods in Cockermouth have already shown the very real threat of climate change to our own communities with children and young people often directly affected. It is clear that extreme weather and environmental disasters impact upon children's daily lives both emotionally and physically, such as the destruction of their homes and possessions, reduced access to the outdoors and schooling, and fear that disasters may recur. 

We must listen to the views and needs of today's children and young people who will in turn experience the real impact of global warming as adults. It is their future and that of their children and grandchildren under negotiation this week.  We must continue to promote and realise long term sustainability efforts, and ensure that children and young people can learn to adapt to inevitable changes to their local environment, homes and communities. NCB is calling on the UK Government to develop strategies with the involvement of children and young people and with the children's sector and wider partners to minimise the health, economic and social risks that children will face through climate change. We must enable children and young people as future leaders to understand and effectively manage the environmental crisis we are facing so that future generations can take positive action.

Jo Butcher, Assistant Director Well-Being, Health and Environment NCB said: 'Young people must not only have  a significant presence at international platforms such as Copenhagen,  but they also must be at the heart of decision making nationally and locally about how we plan to adapt to this different world. Children that we work with tell us they want to develop skills that help them to manage change and cope with this uncertain future. Already children and young people in the UK are experiencing the devastating impacts of weather events. We must help them to prepare for the changes they will see to their local communities and environment, whilst ensuring they are not detrimental to their well-being and happiness now and in the future.'